Why specify methods to control label density?

When placing labels with the Maplex Label Engine, all available space will be used to fit the text. Sometimes this results in dense placement of labels. By creating a label buffer, removing duplicate labels, specifying a minimum size of features to be labeled, connecting line segments, or specifying only to label the largest feature, you can control the density of label placement by decreasing the number of labels placed.

Specifying a label buffer distance to change the space between labelsRemoving duplicate labels within a given radiusSpecifying a minimum feature size for labelingConnecting line segments for labelingLabeling the largest feature part for polygons

For small-scale maps where you may have larger features that display over the extent, you can increase the number of labels placed for features. This is useful when dealing with large meandering polygons such as in geologic maps or long highways that span the extent of a map.

Repeating polygon feature labelsRepeating labels along lines